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Earthquake Seismology

The stability of the boundaries between plates is dependent upon their relative velocity vectors. If a boundary is unstable it will exist only instantaneously and will immediately devolve into a stable configuration. Figure 5.19a shows an unstable boundary between two plates where plate X is underthrusting plate Y at bc in a northeasterly direction and plate Y is underthrust-ing plate X at ab in a southwesterly direction. The boundary is unstable because a trench can only consume in one...

The origin of the unique dome-and-keel architecture of the Archean cratons Section 11.3.4 is important for understanding the nature of Archean tectonics. In general, interpretations can be divided into contrasting views about the relative roles of vertical and horizontal displacements in producing this pattern. The Eastern Pilbara craton in western Australia illustrates how vertical and horizontal tectonic models have been applied to explain the dome-and-keel structural style. During this...